Page 85 of Modern Romance Collection May 2024 Books 1-4

The lie came quickly, uttered with such feeling she almost believed it herself.Not a lie, she reassured herself even as her conscience disagreed. He had never loved her. He’d had his fun, then chosen to distance himself so he and his reputation wouldn’t be sullied by a one-night stand with his bodyguard.

“No?” His thick brows drew together. “I remember...”

She nearly caved at the confusion on his face. Nearly told him about the night in Paris.

“I have a reputation to uphold, Miss Clark. Your continued employment on my security team threatens that.”

“We were not lovers, Your Highness. I was your bodyguard. We were friends. Or at least I thought we were.” She looked away then, knowing she was stretching the truth. But she couldn’t bear this again, to rehash the horrible things he’d said and relive the heartache only to have him rush off again as soon as he regained his memory. “Your father requested you marry. You reassigned me without even talking to me about it beforehand and delivered the news rather brutally.”

“Why?” he demanded.

“You said it would look better. Your new team was all male.” She let the implication hang between them as she tugged on her robe and belted it tightly at the waist. “I declined the reassignment, walked out of the palace and hopped on a plane. I was tired of letting people in my life guide my choices. I stopped briefly at the home my mother left me in Scotland to oversee my things getting moved in, then booked a flight to Grenada to figure out what I wanted for my life. And now you’re here.”

She faced him then, shoulders thrown back, holding his intense gaze.

And nearly crumpled as he flipped the lid open on the ring box.

CHAPTER FIVE

SHEHADNEVERcared for diamonds. To her they had always seemed bland. But this diamond, flecked with black and surrounded by blue gems and tiny pearls, entranced her, drew her into its depths.

A sunbeam fell on the diamond and made it glint. The flash of light made her wince, breaking the spell.

“Your future fiancée is a fortunate woman. Whoever she ends up being, I’m sure she’ll appreciate it.”

“And it was not for you? You’re certain of that?”

She waited a moment, suppressing her anguish, her bitterness. When she spoke, she hoped he wouldn’t detect the depth of strangled emotion in her voice.

“I can assure you that you would have never proposed to someone like me.”

“Someone like you,” he echoed with a frown as he thankfully snapped the box shut and placed it back on the table. “The second time you’ve used that phrase.”

She nodded toward the box.

“The woman who will wear your ring will fit the part. Beautiful, distinguished, most likely wealthy, and with a family pedigree that traces back centuries.” She held up her hand, wiggling her fingers. “Not a former bodyguard who’s never had a manicure and drinks rum cocktails on a beach on a tiny island.”

“You sound far more interesting than my future fiancée.”

She brushed aside the hurt. To this man with no memory, she probably sounded fascinating. To Prince Julius Carvalho, the heir to Rodina’s throne, she was nothing. He’d made that perfectly clear.

He circled around the sofa. Instinct told her to run. Training kept her in place as he drew near, filling every corner of the room with his dominating presence.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

The use of his title didn’t stop his advance. Whatever had happened to cause his amnesia had certainly not dulled his powerful presence, his ability to command attention as soon as he walked into a room. It rippled off him, drew her in like a moth to a flame.

Except she wouldn’t get burned. Not this time. She would not survive it if she did.

Julius stopped in front of her, less than a foot away, although it could have been less than an inch with the heat swirling between them. Their eyes met and the temperature rose.

“Whoever made you think you’re not beautiful or fascinating or worthy was a fool.”

“My mother.”

“A fool,” Julius repeated. “When I came to, I had three memories. One was of a voice. Another was a chandelier.” He leaned forward a fraction, golden-brown eyes glinting. “The third was of your hair.”

Her heart stuttered.

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